Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ~ Join Us for Free, Fun, Programs!

Join Us for Free, Fun, Programs! Parker River National Wildlife Refuge April, 2017

**Behind the Scenes Refuge Tour of Parker River NWRHeld on the following days: Saturday, April 1st @9:30 am; Sunday, April 2nd @1:00 pm; Friday, April 7th @ 9:30 am; Saturday, April 8th @ 9:30 am; Sunday, April 9th @ 1:00 pm; Saturday, April 15th @ 9:30 am; Sunday, April 16th @ 1:00 pm; Friday, April 21st @9:30 am; Saturday, April 29th @ 9:30 am and Sunday, April 30th @ 1:00 pm
Join a refuge ranger for a behind the scenes tour of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Tour will be conducted via refuge van, with several brief "drive by" stops along the way. The tour will present an "up close and personal" look at the refuge through the multiple lenses of the cultural history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh, native wildlife and their habitats, and the role of refuge management in the conservation of these precious natural resources. Participants may be driven along areas on the refuge otherwise closed to the public. This guided, two hour program is most appropriate for older teens and adults. Binoculars and/or a camera are recommended, but not required. Meet the ranger in the lobby of the refuge visitor center 15 minutes prior to the program start time. Each session is limited to 14 participants; no more than 4 individuals per sign-up. Again, this is a vehicle - based tour, with limited stops on the refuge. Preregistration is required for this program, as enrollment is limited. Be advised that individual tours may be subject to cancellation. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a refuge staff member. Please call (978) 465-5753; to register for this program. **Please note: When snow and ice precludes access to the regular "behind the scenes" segments of the tour, the tour leader will, instead, include a loop to the northern tip of Plum Island.

Kids - Nature Walks - Explore the RefugeOn these Mondays in April: 3rd, 17th, & 24th - each session from 10:00 - 11:30 am
Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk. Meet at the refuge visitor center before driving together to the head of the day's trail on the refuge (no parking fee charged). For each session, a refuge volunteer will lead the children and their caregivers on a walk to explore different aspects of the refuge: beach, dune, marsh, scrub forest, cranberry bog. Come dressed for the weather. If the weather is completely unsuitable for outdoor enjoyment, then an indoor program comprised of a story, activity and craft will be held at the visitor center instead. Enrollment is limited to 12 children. The parent or guardian must remain for the entire program. Preregistration is required for this program.

Woodcock Walk at Parker River National Wildlife RefugeSaturday, April 1st @ 7:00 pm; Saturday, April 8th @ 7:00 pm; and Saturday, April 29th @ 7:15 pm
Each spring American woodcocks engage in one of nature's most fascinating courtship displays. Here?s your chance to witness this ?sky dance? up close and in-person! This program is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Meet the ranger on the deck of the visitor contact station at parking lot 1. Bring binoculars and a flashlight. Program is limited to 15 participants. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the program start time. Preregistration required.

Plover Warden OrientationSaturday, April 8th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pmInterested in being a plover warden, or, just volunteering - Learn about the piping plovers on the national wildlife refuge and how you can help them by being a plover warden. This no obligation orientation will take you through the plover recovery program at Parker River and give you an idea about how you can help through volunteering. Presentation will take place in the refuge visitor center classroom. No preregistration.

The Photographic Society of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Next Meeting: Saturday, April 8th @ 1:30 pmThe Photographic Society welcomes anyone who has an interest in nature, wildlife, and/or photography - whether you are a total novice or earn a living by taking pictures! The club meets every month, generally on the second Saturday afternoon. Club activities include special presentations, slide shows (of members? work), intra-club mentoring and training, photo shoots, on-line photo sharing, and involvement in the refuge's various photography-related programs, events, and outreach activities. Venue capacity is limited to 85 attendees (first come, first served). Admission to this program is free and preregistration is NOT required.

Nelson Island Tour Monday, April 10th @ 10:00 am AND Sunday, April 16th @ 10:00 am Explore another part of the refuge - this time, on the mainland. Join a ranger for a tour of a beautiful spot that few people visit: Nelson Island. If we're lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a nesting osprey. Learn about the history of this little known refuge jewel. If weather and tide permits, we?ll take a very short walk along the marsh. (Muddy, wet areas are possible so rubber boots are recommended.) Consider bringing binoculars and/or a camera. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a refuge staff member.Please call (978) 465-5753; to register for this program.

Monthly Book Club: April's Book Selection: Half Earth, By E.O. WilsonThursday, April 20th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
The discussion group is limited to 15 participants and will take place at the refuge visitor center. Pre-registration IS required for the session. Please call our headquarters at (978) 465-5753 to register. *Note: Those who call and leave a message after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a Refuge staff member.

Special EARTH DAY Eve Film Screening: Rachel CarsonFriday, April 21st, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Featuring the voice of Mary-Louise Parker as the influential writer and scientist, Rachel Carson is an intimate portrait of the woman whose groundbreaking books revolutionized our relationship to the natural world. When Silent Spring was published in September 1962 it became an instant bestseller and would go on to spark dramatic changes in the way the government regulated pesticides. Drawn from Carson's own writings, letters and recent scholarship, the film illuminates both the public and private life of the soft-spoken, shy scientist who launched the modern environmental movement. (2017; run time: 1 hr, 53 mins). This FREE film will be shown in the refuge visitor center auditorium. No preregistration for this event.

EARTH DAY Activities at the Refuge Visitor CenterSaturday, April 22nd

Fun Activities for Kids; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Participate in a number of fun, hands-on craft activities. Contribute original artwork to an Earth Day - themed mural that will be displayed on the refuge web site. Finally, have your picture taken with Puddles the Blue Goose!

Live Raptor Show; 11:00 am - Noon: Spend an hour with Jane Kelly and several of her live birds of prey in the refuge auditorium, while learning about the habits and habitats of these fascinating creatures. Jane, of On the Wing Raptor Rehabilitation will reprise the hugely popular program she did at the visitor center on Eagle Fest day.

Special Presentation: The Artistry of Nests and Eggs, presented by award-winning author Dr. Bernd Heinrich, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in the visitor center auditorium. The author's presentation will be followed by a Q&A, discussion of his research, stories, and a book signing. This free program is part of the new Guest Lecture Series being sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Space is limited. Please preregister by email at prereg.fprnwr@gmail.com and provide your name and address.

Woodcock Walk at Great Bay National Wildlife RefugeSaturday, April 22nd @ 7:15 pm
Each spring American woodcocks engage in one of nature's most fascinating courtship displays. Here?s your chance to witness this "sky dance" up close and in-person! This program is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Meet the ranger in front of the Great Bay office, just opposite the parking lot, 15 minutes prior to start time. Bring binoculars and a flashlight. Program is limited to 15 participants. Preregistration required. (Directions: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Great_Bay/visit/plan_your_visit.html)

Storm Surge Presents: Ocean Acidification, with George D. BuckleyWednesday, April 26th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Ocean acidification is but one of many of the impacts of global climate change on the earth's ecosystems. To date it has been largely unnoticed as the effects are underwater and gradual in nature. It can affect larval forms of sea life, the calcium carbonate shells of mollusks, corals and entire coral reef communities, and some very important micro forms of marine life such as Coccolithophores. George Buckley will discuss this environmental issue and look at mollusks, as well as healthy coral reefs, and the importance of the unique Coccolithophores. Buckley is the Assistant Director of Sustainability Programs at the Harvard University Extension School where he teaches Environmental Management, Ocean Ecosystems and Transitioning into a Sustainable Future. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Parker River NWR, this program will take place in the visitor center auditorium. No Preregistration for this program.

Protecting the Piping Plover, with Dave RimmerThursday, April 27th, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This free presentation, to be conducted in the refuge visitor center auditorium, is one in a five-part series that explores the importance of different ocean ecosystems, the current health and stability challenges they face, and what can be done to protect and enhance these systems for future generations. Sponsored by Essex County Greenbelt. Preregister by email: Andrew@ecga.org.

Free Program: Providence Raptors: Urban Wildlife Photography by Peter GreenSaturday, April 29th, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
This free program, which will take place in the refuge visitor auditorium, is part of the new Guest Lecture Series being sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Space is limited. Please preregister by email at prereg.fprnwr@gmail.com and provide your name and address.

These Visitor Center Exhibits Change Monthly:

Artist of the Month Gallery: Each month a different photographer or artist displays their nature and/or wildlife-related fine art in the refuge visitor center auditorium. Photographic Society Slide Show: Just inside the visitor center's front door is a large video monitor that displays the latest nature and wildlife-themed slide show that was produced by members of the refuge?s very own photo club. A new slide show, set to music, and focusing on a unique theme, is produced each month.